There's enough handplane lovers around here that this could be an informative question. What are your dream handplanes (handtools in general are acceptable)? I'm a sucker for the infills, so Norris and Preston would be at the top of my list. Of all of them….hmmm….probably a Norris panel plane (below) closely followed by a big Mathieson.
I use a #4 for most smoothing right now. Just picked up and need to work over a Type 11 5-1/2 that I intend to turn into a super smoother for larger pieces. (I know, no pics or it didn't happen. I've got to finish another restore before getting too far into the 5-1/2)
I reach for my SB #3 the most. Maybe it's the O-1 blade, but it can leave a glassy finish finer than my LN #4 using an A-2 blade. Not that the LN doesn't come close. But when I only use the smoothing plane for final finishing and no sandpaper, I push the #3 across the wood.
For those in their shops in the evenings, I usually tune in to Alice Cooper Live. He hosts a nightly show on the local rock station up here in the hills. It goes nation wide I believe. Some great old rock on that show and he is pretty entertaining.
As for the smoothers, my #4, #605 and LA Block (which I want to get a tote for one of these days)
Something that size, the #4 1/2 would be the smoother of choice, working to smaller ones (#3 or even the #2) if there were problem areas.
Alice Cooper is one of my all-time favorites. Many, many a time under the headphones listening to the Love It to Death alum, or Nightmare, or even side two of Lace and Whiskey. A couple years ago I got ahold of his first album, Pretties for You. Very weird, almost Zappa like. Then there's Shoe Salesman on his second album, Easy Action. Total ear worm of a song. Total sweetness.
I either use my bedrock 604 1/2 or one of the two LN 4 1/2 s they are the best for me I have big hands and the 603 is small and the 602 or the no1 are like kids toys in my big hands. But no mater what smoother you choose the most important thing is the blade must be the sharpest you can manage and then make it sharper. The back has to be a mirror on the cut line so the easiest way to get that is with the Charlsworth ruler trick. and the bevel should look like glass otherwise you don't have a smoother.
Scott, are those Veritas new to you? I hadn't realized you were hoarding them like that. Are the handles all different woods? Didn't even know that was/is an option. Sweet!
What can you tell me about Anant planes? I found this on craigslist, they want $20.00 for it. After paying $7.00 for a Handyman and finding out that Don W. wouldn't buy one for even $2.00 I thought I should ask first.
Not worth $20, Em. Anant are made in India from the old Record castings, but quality-wise they're nothing great. Better off putting that Jackson toward an old Sargent, Stanley, Millers Falls, etc.
Shane, yes and no. I've had the jack and the jointer for a couple of years. Superb planes. The real synergy exists when you have all three because the irons are interchangeable. Thus, I thought about the BU smoother (164H) for some time. Then with the addition of a 4 1/2 there just wasn't a need. Plus there is always the gorgeous LN 164. So, I just thought about it some more.
I am a sucker for free shipping. Those bastards get me every time. So I decided to complete the set and buy the BU smoother.
As I waited for my package to arrive I was hit with a left hook. Like out of no where Smitty posts picture of his LN 164. Jaw dropping beauty. After being smitten with Smitty's tool I kept telling myself the the Veritas is a good looking plane too, trying to brace myself against disappointment.
Well, that is what happened but for a surprising reason. I wasn't in the mood to compromise so when I first saw the totes the disappointment was visceral. There were entirely a different color. They were orange. The fact that you thought they are different species proves it. I just couldn't like it. I emailed Lee Valley and they have no mechanism to switch out totes but would be happy to accept the plane in return. They were very nice. So that is what I did - shipped back the smoother.
Emma, that 4 1/2 is enticing so long as it checks out like Richard says.
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